Agents intercept boat carrying $4 mn worth of pot near San Diego

Customs and Border Protection agents on Tuesday intercepted a boat carrying a cargo of marijuana valued at more than $4 million and arrested two Mexican men.

Police said that CBP agents specializing in airborne detection spotted the boat on Tuesday morning while it was traveling offshore.

The boat was spotted by aircraft near La Jolla traveling north at a speed of 24 knots without the required navigation lights.

Authorities said that the aircraft crew examined the boat's deck from the air and observed many packages that were thought to contain drugs.

A vessel was dispatched to make intercept the boat, which it did near Del Mar.

After a pursuit lasting about two hours, CBP agents managed to stop the boat 12 miles south of Laguna Beach and capture the two men who were on board, authorities said.

Inside the boat were found 38 packs of drugs containing 119 packets of marijuana with a total street value estimated at more than $4 million.

The arrested men and the drugs were turned over to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement special agents in San Diego and charges are expected to be filed against the suspects by the district attorney. EFE